ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[ntsqd]

My theory on why you didn't notice it with your kids as much as with grandkids is that you're not around the grands every day. Those breaks in contact allow you to see the changes better.
BTW, this doesn't just apply to people.

It is sad that it isn't obvious to everyone just how the bearing splitter should be placed in the press. It was very obvious to me the first time that I ever used one.

 

[PugetDude]

It is sad that it isn't obvious to everyone just how the bearing splitter should be placed in the press. It was very obvious to me the first time that I ever used one.

An acute grasp of the obvious eludes many.

 

[ntsqd]

^^^
I don't know whether to 'Like' that or 'Not Like' that, but I agree.

 

[zmotorsports]

Worked a bit later than usual last night, but it was such a nice day and with the temps in the mid-60's it was great to work with the shop doors open. I even had two neighbors mowing their lawns last night. I'm a slacker I guess.

So nice to work with the shop doors open and listening to not only the radio, but also the birds singing and the neighbor's lawn mowers. Ahhh, the sounds of spring.




With the outer pinion bearing heated, it was installed along with the crush sleeve, seal and yoke and then I could begin sneaking up on the pinion preload. This one was a bit tight for space being a lowered car and the exhaust running right alongside the driveshaft, but it was doable.


After the clearance was removed I landed on 10 in/lbs. of rotating torque for the pinion preload (PPL). Not quite enough. Spec. is 18-25.


With a couple more tweaks I landed on 21 in/lbs. or PPL. Perfect.


With the pinion installed, I turned my attention to installing the clutch packs into the carrier that had been soaking since Saturday afternoon.


The spring could then be installed.


The case spread.


And the carrier installed and bearing caps torqued to spec. Backlash could then be checked. Dial indicator zero'd.


Looks like a solid .010 of B/L. Perfect as specs. call for .008"-.012".



Stay tuned for more.

 

[zmotorsports]

With the rotating torque looking good, the backlash perfect, I decided to paint up a few teeth and run a pattern. Although not what I would call perfect, I am still befuddled with the odd wear pattern, but it matches what it looked like upon disassembly.


The outer axle bearings were prelubed and ready to accept the axle shafts.


Axle shaft inserted into the carrier so the C-clip could be installed.


With both C-clips installed, the cross pin was inserted into place and then the new cross pin retaining bolt. I also marked the bearing cap bolts once they were torqued to spec.


Final notes documented.


And then engraved onto the ring gear as is my trademark on rear ends.


New gasket and cover installed and torqued to spec.


Sway bar links reconnected and the sway bar installed with the bolt just snugged. It will get fully tightened once the car is back on the ground. This proved to be a bit more cumbersome than I originally expected due to the ride height and wide tires, but it was accomplished.



Stay tuned for the last few pictures.

 

[zmotorsports]

Fluid was added then Torque Seal was applied to the pinion nut and the driveshaft could be reinstalled.


A little thread locker applied to the driveshaft joint bolts.


Rear driveshaft installed and everything given a final wipe before lowering the car.


Wheels installed, lug nuts spun on with my speeder and then torqued to spec. once set on the ground.


And back from the first road test.



Thanks for looking.

 

[RickP]

Thanks for documenting how these jobs are supposed to be done!I

I'll be trying my best to copy your work if I ever do one of these (and probably not even coming close...)

 

[ScepterToad]

Nicely done Mike!

What's that spring in there? I've never actually seen one with that.

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks for documenting how these jobs are supposed to be done!I

I'll be trying my best to copy your work if I ever do one of these (and probably not even coming close...)

Thank you very much Rick. Hope the documentation has been helpful enough to give you the confidence to tackle it. And thank you for continuing to follow along and your support.

Nicely done Mike!

What's that spring in there? I've never actually seen one with that.

Keith, this is a LSD (Limited Slip Differential) so the spring holds pressure on the clutch packs that are in each side of the carrier, where the axle shaft splines engage. This allows traction to both axles evenly but will slip when enough torque is met such as going around a corner or turn when the outer wheel must turn at a different rate.

These clutches are why fluids with friction modifier must be used as they can grab excessively if not. Most good synthetics these days actually come with friction modifiers already in them.

 

[Finallygotit]

So? Are you holding out on us? Is the gear whine gone? I'm assuming so but you know what happens when you assume.

 

[zmotorsports]

So? Are you holding out on us? Is the gear whine gone? I'm assuming so but you know what happens when you assume.

Dan, I didn't get it all the way up to speed last night. Just did a short/quick test drive around the neighborhood and took it to the church parking lot and did some slow speed figure 8's, maybe saw 40 MPH. The rear end sounds good at that speed and no odd feel though, at least from the gears.

I have to say though, the underside of this thing feels like it is going to knock itself loose. I am VERY surprised at the sounds this car has as finicky as the owner sounds or portrays himself. I don't know how he actually heard any "slight" gear noise for all of the loud clunking and banging under the car. With the car being lowered, it's nearly riding on the bumpstops at all times. Sitting at ride height I can barely get a finger between the bumpstops and the chassis and any dip or undulation and the bumpstops contact the underside.

I ought to ask him if he wants to ride in a nice quiet solid car, and take him for a spin in my Camaro. He'll throw rocks at that Mustang afterwards.

 

[Finallygotit]

Wow!

I have seen lots of lowered cars up close, like at cars and coffee get-togethers; none of them seem to do it right. Watching them come in and out is entertaining. Oh well, to each their own.

 

[zmotorsports]

Wow!

I have seen lots of lowered cars up close, like at cars and coffee get-togethers; none of them seem to do it right. Watching them come in and out is entertaining. Oh well, to each their own.

Agreed. I've lowered quite a few in my days and I refuse to lower anyone's who doesn't want it done correctly. Most think they install shorter springs and job done. Far from it.

As I was disassembling the brakes on this thing I noticed the bumpstops were destroyed and wondered what would cause that. Now I know.

 

[SteadyC]

Amazing work as always.

Maybe not that finicky? Hankook tires? I'm judging.....J/K...a little.

Mike you are truly skilled.

-Rod

 

[zmotorsports]

Amazing work as always.

Maybe not that finicky? Hankook tires? I'm judging.....J/K...a little.

Mike you are truly skilled.

-Rod

Thank you Rod, I appreciate the kind words.

Yeah, I questioned his tire/wheel choice as well, especially when he showed me pictures of when he bought it when it was stock. Personally, I preferred the OEM wheels much more to his choice in aftermarket, but to each his own.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Amazing work as always.

Maybe not that finicky? Hankook tires? I'm judging.....J/K...a little.

Mike you are truly skilled.

-Rod

Do kids these days still say "baller on a budget"?

 

[zmotorsports]

Marc, I have no issues with someone who's on a budget, hell I'm on a budget, at least I try to follow it.

But what I don't understand is those who want everything now and doing it half-assed vs. saving up and doing it right and enjoying it.

I see this waaaaayyyyy to often in the Jeep world, someone buys a new Jeep, then they immediately "need" to lift it but want to do it on the cheap. They don't even know what it will do stock nor what kind of trails they really want to run, they just "know" that they don't want to leave it at stock level. Even after being informed that they should drive it for a while to determine what they want because once they go to a certain point, it no longer is road friendly, but they don't care, they want it in the air and now. They then buy the cheapest piece of garbage suspension system, cheapest wheels (which also have the largest offset) and after the first off-road trip, the suspension joints are so clapped out the thing drives down the road about as stable as a wet noodle.

They then blame the suspension, which was purchased AT their low price point, only to turn around and buy another cheap-*** suspension system but slightly more expensive than the first, that maybe gets them 3 or 4 off-road trips before it is just as clapped out. The process goes on and on and what they don't understand is two-fold; first, they didn't know how they'd use the Jeep in the first place and they didn't need the upgrades that they thought they did, or they are in it so much money that they could have purchased a very nice and higher end suspension system by now, but because they spent money over and over, they don't have the money for good quality now.

This is the biggest reason I dropped out of my local Jeep club in 2023, too many newbies who wouldn't listen to anyone, then cry poverty and expect help for free because they don't have any money. It's a vicious circle of stupid decisions with no end, until the sell the Jeep and say that owning one was the worst decision ever. Trust me, it wasn't necessarily the vehicle's fault.

Sorry Marc, went down a rabbit hole there as it happens so often.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I think we are all on a budget and we pick the areas where we stretch the dollar the furthest.

I would have saved the money on the new wheel/tire package and purchased a performance rated tire to be mounted on OEM wheels, had that been my Shelby...but it's not.

 

[zmotorsports]

I think we are all on a budget and we pick the areas where we stretch the dollar the furthest.

I would have saved the money on the new wheel/tire package and purchased a performance rated tire to be mounted on OEM wheels, had that been my Shelby...but it's not.

Agreed Marc. Wheels are one of THE most personal traits of any vehicle and many times the "perfect" wheel package for a car is in the eyes of the beholder, or owner for that matter.

I know when I was looking for a wheel that fit the personality of our Fifth Gen Camaro after we bought it, nothing, and I mean nothing was jumping out at me. I drove it stock for month because nothing was rising to the top of anything I was looking at. I kept waffling over it and kept going back to the fact that I actually liked the OEM wheels, but just not the fact that they were painted silver. I postponed making a decision because I simply couldn't find anything that excited me and that's when I read about a shop on the Camaro forum that I had joined prior to purchasing our car, that would take my OEM wheels and make them better. After I installed the freshly chromed wheels, a friend of mine stated that the wheels fit my personality. I ended up going the route I did for my own taste and, in my eyes, they are the perfect wheel and nothing else was in the running, even though others may disagree, that they fit more my personality than the car's.

I wasn't going to tell the owner of this Shelby that I didn't like his wheels, that was his choice, even though it wouldn't have been mine. It's too late at this point anyways, but I surely wouldn't have detracted from the performance aspect by going about lowering the car in the manner that he did. I feel the wheels are an aesthetics characteristic (at least to a large factor), but the suspension is in essence what these cars are all about along with the powertrain and by going about it haphazardly and cheap, it really detracted from the car to me.

I also wouldn't have gone back to 15" diameter wheels on the rear, part of these car's handling characteristics is by the smaller sidewall that allows the car to stay more "planted" and by adding to the sidewall with a smaller diameter wheel, I feel that took the car's handling performance in the wrong direction. Not that the owner is planning on racing or driving this car hard, I just wouldn't have downgraded the performance in that way.

 

[aka Larry]

I also wouldn't have gone back to 15" diameter wheels on the rear, part of these car's handling characteristics is by the smaller sidewall that allows the car to stay more "planted" and by adding to the sidewall with a smaller diameter wheel, I feel that took the car's handling performance in the wrong direction. Not that the owner is planning on racing or driving this car hard, I just wouldn't have downgraded the performance in that way.

My 2006 GT (in my avatar) came from the factory with 18's. I can't believe 15's even fit over the brakes of a Shelby.

As for SteadyC's reference about the Hankooks, they actually make some damn good tires. Maybe not the model seen in Mike's pic, but we run the Hankook RS-4 on our race car exclusively as it's about the best street tire with a 200 TWR for endurance racing.

 

[zmotorsports]

My 2006 GT (in my avatar) came from the factory with 18's. I can't believe 15's even fit over the brakes of a Shelby.

As for SteadyC's reference about the Hankooks, they actually make some damn good tires. Maybe not the model seen in Mike's pic, but we run the Hankook RS-4 on our race car exclusively as it's about the best street tire with a 200 TWR for endurance racing.

If you look at the size of the rear brakes it will surprise you Vincent. They will easily fit over 15" wheels. I can't speak to the fronts as I haven't pulled a front wheel, but maybe that is why he stuck with 17's on the front. Although, and I'm not a Ford guru, but I think the Shelby GT came stock with 18" wheels. If I'm incorrect someone will have to correct me.

I have not personally run Hancooks, but I know a few people that like them. The fronts are Continentals which I am a big fan of.

 

[ntsqd]

Just yesterday I was explaining to a new guy on another forum that difference between a good suspension and a great suspension. There is a new player in the suspensions for EB's that has a stellar rep in FSB's (Solo Motorsports). Their rear suspension kit for an EB is substantially more than even the EB specialty place's kits. There's a good reason for that, but he was having trouble justifying the difference. Since it's new there aren't many out there for him to get a ride in to find out if the difference is worth it to him or not. I think that would change a lot of people's minds, but some will want the cheapest they can get regardless. And will still **** about how bad it rides and how much it cost.

 

[rattle_snake]

The newer style 2-axis cut 8.8 gears make an different pattern. When I did my 8.8, I took out 5-axis type and the new ford gearset was 2.

Two Cut vs. Five Cut Ring & Pinion Gears - West Coast Differentials

Two Cut or Face Hobbed Ring & Pinion Gears are produced by modern manufacturing methods that result in a different gear tooth profile than Five Cut Gears

differentials.com

 

[zmotorsports]

The newer style 2-axis cut 8.8 gears make an different pattern. When I did my 8.8, I took out 5-axis type and the new ford gearset was 2.

Two Cut vs. Five Cut Ring & Pinion Gears - West Coast Differentials

Two Cut or Face Hobbed Ring & Pinion Gears are produced by modern manufacturing methods that result in a different gear tooth profile than Five Cut Gears

differentials.com

Justin, that is an interesting read, thank you for posting that. I've noticed these differences over the past couple of Ford rear ends I've done, and now the patterns and my observations make a bit more sense.

Thank you.

 

[SteadyC]

My 2006 GT (in my avatar) came from the factory with 18's. I can't believe 15's even fit over the brakes of a Shelby.

As for SteadyC's reference about the Hankooks, they actually make some damn good tires. Maybe not the model seen in Mike's pic, but we run the Hankook RS-4 on our race car exclusively as it's about the best street tire with a 200 TWR for endurance racing.

Performance tire brands that come to mind are Michelin or Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli. My error.

 

[Jayman17]

Love those photos of you grandson on that heavy machinery. I can't believe it's been 2 years already!
Although I don't know anything about working on cars, I really enjoy following along on your various repair jobs. I have a feeling your clients are lucky to have you working on their vehicles.

 

[zmotorsports]

Love those photos of you grandson on that heavy machinery. I can't believe it's been 2 years already!
Although I don't know anything about working on cars, I really enjoy following along on your various repair jobs. I have a feeling your clients are lucky to have you working on their vehicles.

Thank you for the comments and for continuing to follow along. Hope my clients are pleased with the level of service that I provide.

Yeah, it's hard to believe our grandson is 2-years old already. Little stink is growing like a weed and so full of personality.

 

[ntsqd]

Seeing the rear CVJ on that Shelby's drive-shaft I've wondered for years why we still use Cardan and Double-Cardan joints on drive-shafts instead of Birfield or Rzeppa type CVJ's. Might have been a Grand Cherokee where I first saw a CVJ used on a drive-shaft and at the time I figured that it was the front of a sudden shift in drive-shaft design. It hasn't happened at the rate that I expected.

 

[zmotorsports]

Seeing the rear CVJ on that Shelby's drive-shaft I've wondered for years why we still use Cardan and Double-Cardan joints on drive-shafts instead of Birfield or Rzeppa type CVJ's. Might have been a Grand Cherokee where I first saw a CVJ used on a drive-shaft and at the time I figured that it was the front of a sudden shift in drive-shaft design. It hasn't happened at the rate that I expected.

Same thinking here Thom, it's been hit and miss on where I see them.

Some applications such as the Jeeps, we remove them due to early failure and they get a bad rap. However, what people fail to realize is that it isn't necessarily the joint design that is bad, it is the fact that on the Jeeps, the owners are changing the angles in which they were designed to operate, not a bad design. Used in the correct application they produce quite a nice transfer of power smoothly and reliably.

 

[zmotorsports]

I had a coworker ask me this morning if our Camaro was a V6 or V8. To be honest I was a little put off by the question, so I thought I'd give him something to think about. I answered by telling him that our Fifth Gen Camaro is a hybrid. He thought for a second then responded, "I didn't know GM made a hybrid Camaro". I replied, "hell yeah they did, mine burns both gasoline and rubber".

 

[fouckhest]

I replied, "hell yeah they did, mine burns both gasoline and rubber".

PURE GOLD!!!!

 

[aka Larry]

I had a coworker ask me this morning if our Camaro was a V6 or V8. To be honest I was a little put off by the question, so I thought I'd give him something to think about. I answered by telling him that our Fifth Gen Camaro is a hybrid. He thought for a second then responded, "I didn't know GM made a hybrid Camaro". I replied, "hell yeah they did, mine burns both gasoline and rubber".

That is one epic response Mike! I've got to remember that one.

 

[zmotorsports]

PURE GOLD!!!!

That is one epic response Mike! I've got to remember that one.

I can't take credit for it guys, I heard it somewhere a few years ago and had pretty much forgotten about it until today when the timing was perfect to pull it out of the ole' noodle.

 

[aka Larry]

I can't take credit for it guys, I heard it somewhere a few years ago and had pretty much forgotten about it until today when the timing was perfect to pull it out of the ole' noodle.

Kind of makes me want to put a 'Hybrid' badge on my Mustang GT just so someone will have to ask me the question.

 

[Finallygotit]

...mine burns both gasoline and rubber".

MUST. REMEMBER. THIS.

 

[zmotorsports]

Arrived home yesterday to find a care package from one of our thoughtful forum members. I have to say, the people on this site are so much more than just a bunch of people talking about stuff, it truly is a community of not only like-minded people, but very caring and thoughtful people as well.

I am beyond words at the generosity of some of you that have reached out over the years.

Mike aka @fouckhest informed me he was sending me a box with a few Hot Wheels in it for my grandson. I was dumbfounded when I opened the box. Such generosity within this community.





I am certain my grandson will enjoy them. He received a few Hot Wheels items for his birthday as he is a big fan and these will get well used.

Thank you Mike.

 

[zmotorsports]

After opening up the package and being overwhelmed by the generosity, I thought I'd head out to the shop and service the wife's car, and with the weather in the 70's again, I could pop the doors open and really enjoy the spring weather. Weather predicts the 70's and sunshine will end tomorrow for several days so may as well enjoy it.

Tires/wheels off and moved to their new position while the oil drains.


New crush washer installed on the drain plug and torqued to spec. I also noticed a little weep of oil near the mating area of the engine and trans. so I pulled the inspection cover to take a look inside.


Nothing out of the ordinary, so the cover was cleaned in the solvent tank and reinstalled.


Completed and backed from the lift so I could double check fluids, clean windows and vacuum before parking in the house garage.



I also opened up the RV bay as it was so nice outside. I wanted to allow some air to exchange as well as I fired up the coach for the first time since October so I could air up the suspension, extend a slide and begin a few minor repairs/maintenance tasks before our first trip of the season. Felt good just to hear the ole' girl running again.


Thanks for looking.

 

[mercracing]

Mike, I don’t remember, are you able to fully extend the slide(s) in the bay, or does it have to come out? Can’t wait to read about the repairs!

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike, I don’t remember, are you able to fully extend the slide(s) in the bay, or does it have to come out? Can’t wait to read about the repairs!

Yes, I can fully extend all of the slides in the RV storage bay.

 

[Sbusmech]

Wow! I glad I stumbled across this discussion. I have just applied for the Automotive Shop Instructor position that has just opened up at my school. I'm currently the Shop Foreman at the Transportation Maintenance facility at the district. I've been in the automotive/diesel repair industry since 2003 after graduating from UTI. I've been interested in teaching for around a decade and finally put in for it. I hope I get the opportunity and really believe I can get these students ready for the workforce. Also after reading many of these comments, I really hope I can make a difference in these students lives like some of them did in yours.